Washington (CNN) - An official with American Crossroads, the third party group associated with Karl Rove and Ed Gillespie, welcomes President Obama’s attacks on the organization insisting they’re helping to drive up contributions.

According to American Crossroads, which was founded by former presidential adviser Karl Rove and former Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie, it has seen healthy online contributions since the president's has called attention to it.
Obama most recently singled out the group at a campaign event Thursday night for Alexi Giannoulias, the Democrat running to fill Obama's old senate seat.

Obama said "two groups funded and advised by Karl Rove have outspent the Democratic Party two to one in an attempt to beat Alexi - two to one. Funded and advised by Karl Rove." He insisted "That's not just a threat to Democrats. That's a threat to our democracy."

An official with the organization tells CNN, "No one tries tackling you if you don't have the ball."

The organization has gained attention for its successful fundraising and for running ads in key Senate battles, most notably going on the air early in the Nevada Senate race, where Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is facing Tea Party-backed Republican Sharron Angle.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was discussing internal deliberations, says this year the congressional races are especially nationalized, with local issues taking a back seat to the five dominant concerns that work with Republican voters in districts across the country - taxes, debt, health care, spending and cap and trade climate change legislation.

They're at "the top of everyone's tick list" with some, but there's not much variation by region, the official says.

And as for the call by Democrats to investigate the organization for possible tax violations? It is hitting back hard, releasing to the media a memo written by the group's legal counsel. It alleges the requests for investigation are part of a "coordinated campaign by Democrats and their allies to create a hostile environment to dissuade potential donors from supporting independent conservative non-profit advocacy organizations in general, and Crossroads GPS in particular." The letter accuses Democrats of sour grapes – hitting the group because their own third party organizations aren't raising as much money.

"This effort is a crass 'Plan B' ironically motivated by the Democrats' dismay over insufficient 'political intervention' activity by pro-Democrat groups and following in the wake of their inability to pass the DISCLOSE Act," which would require more disclosure of the corporations behind some of the ads, the letter said.

While American Crossroads does have to disclose its donors, its affiliate Crossroads Grassroots Policy Strategies (GPS) does not because it is registered as a non-profit group. Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine and others are calling on the organization to make public all of its benefactors.

soundoff(13 Responses)

LacrosseMom(real one)

Karl Rove........ YOU MUST follow the LAW, you are not in the Bush white house anymore.

October 8, 2010 07:30 pm at 7:30 pm |

D. Bunker

Un-American Crossroads is just the tip of the secret money iceberg. While the idiot teatards scream "what about the unions?!?" The predatory and faceless global elitists and other foreign interests attack America's democracy with their massive cash to spread propaganda, fear and lies. Americans need to wake up; these people have no interest in the average American. You're just a number, and the numbers they're most concerned with are reducing your pay and benefits, your government services and your standard of living. Remember, if you liked the ditch these GOBPbagger cultists drove America into last time, you're gonna love the canyon they're aiming for now!

October 8, 2010 07:37 pm at 7:37 pm |

Anonymous

Go get them Karl, our country needs you. I hope Obama keeps up his whining and victim bull so we can raise more money. It certainly motivates me to give. The country chooses in Nov. To vote for Food Stamp Party or the Paycheck Party. The Country will choose the Pay Check Party. Bye Bye Dems. So long suckers!

October 8, 2010 09:00 pm at 9:00 pm |

quincy of nashville

The bad guys have smarter strategists. Stop blowing it, dems. Less whining and more leadership!

October 8, 2010 09:19 pm at 9:19 pm |

Marie MD

Are these the same people getting money from international entities to line the pockets of the rethugs? Not that they are not already in the pockets of big corporations and the rich of this country. The chamber of commerce has received foreign funding and is hosting an event with foreign bank money tomorrow.
The teabaggers are traveling all over the country telling people in other states how to vote. Now we have the repugs taking big money from foreigners. After all, our jobs are going overseas who better to help the rethugs help them and not the US citizens.

October 8, 2010 09:21 pm at 9:21 pm |

southern cousin

Are any of you libs noticing that the more the corrupt, inept, incompetent, union toady president "slams," "blasts," or "attacks" anyone or anything (like Fox News) they become more successful. Should kinda show you how much the public thinks of the president you stole the election for. He should be in jail.

October 8, 2010 09:23 pm at 9:23 pm |

barry

Thanks Karl. You are a great American taking on the Liberal Socialist Thugs. Bye Bye Dems.

October 8, 2010 09:34 pm at 9:34 pm |

vic nashville tn

American Crossroads mean road to America bankrupt

Karl Rove did it he will do again

October 8, 2010 09:53 pm at 9:53 pm |

Frank in Valparaiso Indiana

American elections, the best a corporation can buy.

October 8, 2010 10:37 pm at 10:37 pm |

roro

Well, if you want our Congress bought and paid for by big corporations and entities both here and abroad, such as India and Bahrain, then Crossroads if for you. There are no limits on what they can do, and it can all be done completely anonymously. We won't ever know exactly who owns and who is running the Congress from the shadows. Not exactly the American Way, is it?

October 8, 2010 11:31 pm at 11:31 pm |

David(D) vs Crossroads(R)

Money can't buy you love, but it can buy you an election. This is an attack on the American political system. We first saw it with Fox News(foreign owned) Chamber of Commerce(foreign Monies) and now Crossroads groups are poping up all over the country. This is a WARNING!!! You must fight back and vote to save the American Workers. It's your future and your kids future and the country. Vote Democrats everybody in 2008 needs to come out and vote. This is the only way to defeat big money is with a bigger vote. Good luck and God bless you......

October 9, 2010 05:53 am at 5:53 am |

stevetall

Just a little friendly lying to keep the fear alive. Rove and Gillespie are the worst kind of political animals. They have already proven that they can divide a nation, promote an ignorant viewpoint to half-smart, half-informed voters, and destroy an economy. Why would anyone pay attention to them? Because they seem insignificant compared to the likes of Palin, O'Donnell, and Bachman. Cancer is insignificant, too, until it grows. Then you can't get rid of it. These clowns are just a couple more Republican tumors!

October 9, 2010 06:21 am at 6:21 am |

glen in la

I LIKE a big, expensive campaign. The commercials are nicely produced, and the print ads and billboards are more pleasing to look at. I'm so glad corporations have been given first amendment rights.I wish they'd talk some of that money towards me. They're a credit to their race.